The establishment of an official Academy for the Arabic Language receivedfinal approval on Wednesday as the "High Institute for the Arabic Language2007" bill passed its second and third readings in the Knesset plenum andbecame law.

"This is the first time an Academy for the Arabic Language is established ina country outside the Arab world, heralding an important change on the partof the state of Israel in its treatment of its Arab citizens," said KnessetEducation Committee Chairman Michael Melchior (Labor-Meimad), whocosponsored the bill with MK Nadia Hilu (Labor).

According to the law, the new academy will conduct research on the history,dialects, structure and vocabulary of the Arabic language. It will alsopublish dictionaries, hold conferences and cooperate with organizations inIsrael and abroad that deal with Arabic.